- Joined
- Apr 25, 2006
- Messages
- 18,404
Leadership
He gave some to be apostles… prophets… pastors and teachers to prepare God's people for works of service. Ephesians 4:11-12
I recall the afternoon when the ladies in the kitchen said 'Vicar, what do you want in the sandwiches?' That may have been gracious politeness, but there was also a trace of the belief that the Vicar took all the decisions and did all the work in the church! The church hasn't visited the sick if a member of the congregation instead of the minister came.
Our readings give us a right view of church leadership. Paul explains the various leadership roles-the leadership team's task is to prepare the congregation-the people of God for the work of ministry-of service- out in the world and community as well as within the church itself. The word Paul uses for prepare or 'equip' is the word used for setting broken bones, or of fishermen mending their nets. Paul's aim is that every part should be working properly and thus promoting the growth of the church.
This is an exciting picture. The New Testament portrays the church as the people of God joyfully worshipping together, faithfully witnessing together out in the world, and also effectively working together. We need our leaders to equip us for this God-given ministry. The leaders need us as 'the people of God' to fulfil the many different ministries that today's effective church will have.
The Lord needs both the leaders and the people of God for the tasks He has chosen for them.
A prayer for today
Lord, Help me to discover the part You want me to play in my local church, and to trust in your grace to serve You effectively, for Jesus' sake. Amen.
He gave some to be apostles… prophets… pastors and teachers to prepare God's people for works of service. Ephesians 4:11-12
I recall the afternoon when the ladies in the kitchen said 'Vicar, what do you want in the sandwiches?' That may have been gracious politeness, but there was also a trace of the belief that the Vicar took all the decisions and did all the work in the church! The church hasn't visited the sick if a member of the congregation instead of the minister came.
Our readings give us a right view of church leadership. Paul explains the various leadership roles-the leadership team's task is to prepare the congregation-the people of God for the work of ministry-of service- out in the world and community as well as within the church itself. The word Paul uses for prepare or 'equip' is the word used for setting broken bones, or of fishermen mending their nets. Paul's aim is that every part should be working properly and thus promoting the growth of the church.
This is an exciting picture. The New Testament portrays the church as the people of God joyfully worshipping together, faithfully witnessing together out in the world, and also effectively working together. We need our leaders to equip us for this God-given ministry. The leaders need us as 'the people of God' to fulfil the many different ministries that today's effective church will have.
The Lord needs both the leaders and the people of God for the tasks He has chosen for them.
A prayer for today
Lord, Help me to discover the part You want me to play in my local church, and to trust in your grace to serve You effectively, for Jesus' sake. Amen.
